I'm the greatest baseball player in the world! ;; New Challenge!

A little boy was overheard talking to himself as he strode through his backyard, baseball cap in place and toting a ball and bat. "I'm the greatest baseball player in the world." He said proudly. 

Then he tossed the ball in the air, swung and missed. Undaunted, he picked up the ball, threw it into the air and said to himself, "I'm the greatest baseball player ever!" He swung at the ball again, and again he missed. 

He paused a moment to examine the bat and ball carefully. Then once again he threw the ball into the air and said "I'm the greatest baseball player who ever lived." He swung the bat hard and again missed the ball. 

"WOW!" he exclaimed, "What a pitcher!!" 

-Author Unknown 

This story really made me smile but it also made me wonder -  at what point in our lives do we exchange that "I'm the greatest in the world" mentality for something less rewarding? I love the positive outlook of the kid in the story and after reading this, I plan to apply this outlook to my own life from here on out and I challenge you to do the same! We're not always going to be perfect and every human being on this planet has a few weaknesses but instead of focusing on what we can't do or what we're not that good at, let's put our focus into what we ARE good at and what we CAN do and run with it! 

I am making a new challenge for all of us, not only those of us on the weight loss journey, but everyone:: 

*When you have a negative thought about yourself whether it be your body image, your hair, your skin, your attitude, your grades, your physical ability, your mental capabilities...whatever it is - I challenge you to immediately counteract that thought with something POSITIVE. We're no longer going to dwell on the CAN'Ts in life, we're going to focus on the CANs.

• I can't run a mile ----> I CAN walk 3 miles. 
• I can't fit a medium shirt ----> I CAN fit the large that I never fit before
• I can't break this plateau ----> I CAN keep working until it breaks. 
• I can't cook that well ----> I CAN buy a cookbook and teach myself. 
• I can't do a "man's push up" ----> I CAN do 50 "girls push ups"

You get the idea. 

But if one of those "can'ts" is something that can be changed with hard work and dedication then by all means - put in the work!! All good things come with a little time, energy, and effort. And when you have the "I can't do this" thought.. switch it up to "I CAN change this aspect of my life and I WILL!"

The story I mentioned above is from a book called "How to Stay Motivated During Difficult Times" by Andres Lara. I LOVE this book. It stays on my desk at all times. I got it during EOF (the summer before my freshman year in college) and every time I need a little inspiration, I dig up this book! 

On a personal note:: My daughter took her first steps today!! I am so beyond proud! She will be 11 months on Saturday. Here's a picture of her beautiful smiling face - BEWARE: Her smile is contagious!! 

Have a blessed day!! 

-Krystle